Microsoft Access

What do you like best?

Access has all of the functionalities needed to build concise applications for small offices or needs. The ability to utilize other database platforms like SQL Server is a plus. The ability to create full functioning applications in less than an hour is a big plus. There isn't much you can't do with Access if you understand that it isn't meant to be an enterprise tool.

What do you dislike?

By this time it seems like there would be better browser representation, but understandably there are other Microsoft tools out there to handle similar activities. There also seems to be a "sunset date" on the horizon that continually shifts. It would be good to know if Access will be around for the long haul as besides Lotus (IBM/HCL) Notes I haven't found a better RAD platform.

Recommendations to others considering the product:

Know the limitations of Access. It is meant for optimally supporting an office or application of 5 or less users. You can have more, but that is going outside the bounds and the organization should be looking at a more appropriate platform. It has many merits for use with the ability to create tables, forms, reports, queries, etc to meet many needs.

What problems are you solving with the product? What benefits have you realized?

We use Access for supplemental data acquisition for use in our reporting and analytic solutions. Many times the data doesn't fit into corporate applications and Access allows for ad hoc data entry and storage based on projects. This allows the data to be stored in SQL Server tables as opposed to Excel sheets that must be uploaded and many times have data type and quality issues.